Thais arrest 38 Cambodians on charges of illegal logging
A combined task force of Thai soldiers and national park officials yesterday arrested 38 Cambodian villagers who encroached on the Panom Dong Rak Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, which borders Oddar Meanchey province. Thai National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidech said it was the largest arrest of Cambodians engaging in the illegal logging of rare and highly valuable rosewood trees. … Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said last night that the Cambodian consul general in Thailand’s Sakeo province had received information about the 38 villagers and was contacting Thai authorities, but could not comment further. Touch Ra, chief of border relations at Chhoam Sror Ngam border checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province, said he had not received any information regarding the arrest of any Cambodians from Thai authorities, adding that he would investigate. …
